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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-03 Board of Health Minutesr Town of Reading a„' _ Meeting Minutes no'P�P'IMOPwPPt Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Board of Health Date: 2022-03-03 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session - Remote Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: "RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING MA 2022 APR I I AH 8: 27 Chair Richard Lopez, Vice Chair Kerry Dunnell, Paula Curren; Associate Members: Geri Cramer, Kevin Sexton Members - Not Present: Others Present: Public Health Director Ade Solarin, Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris, Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen, Health Inspector Jennifer Velazquez Narcissa Lyons Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Richard Lopez called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm and reviewed the meeting agenda. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to approve the meeting minutes of February 10, 2022 as written. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren -Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes. Pleasant Street Center Mask Order Review: Public Health Director Ade Solarin stated that he has been in touch with Community Services Director Kevin Bohmiller, Nurse Advocate Alyse Warren, and the leadership at the Senior Center. Everyone is in favor of lifting the mask mandate at this point, as the number of COVID cases is low. Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris stated that the two recent COVID deaths were individuals in their 80s with multiple co -morbidities. And while the clientele at the Senior Center is a vulnerable population, it seems reasonable to lift the mask mandate given the low incidence rate. Board members expressed their agreement. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Curren, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to rescind the Pleasant Street Center mask mandate effective immediately. Roll call vote: Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Paula Curren -Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes. Ms. Dunnell noted that she attended an in-person meeting earlier today, and the venue had a sign on the door that said, "Masks are Welcomed Here," and included a reference to the requirements for kids under 2 and people at high-risk. She suggested communication like that, especially at the Senior Center and anywhere else the Health Department is offering signage. Mr. Solarin agreed and suggested just making it a "recommendation" as opposed Page I 1 to a "strong recommendation", so if masks are needed or mandated in the future, it will be more impactful. Ms. Dunnell agreed and noted "encouraged" may be a better word. Board members agreed. Mr. Solarin will work with Business Administrator Jayne Wellman on a public education message for the community, along with encouraging vaccine boosters. Introduction of New Health Inspector: Mr. Solarin introduced the new Health Inspector, Jennifer Velazquez, who began working for the Town on February 22nd. Ms. Velazquez shared her experience of 23 years in food service, with 17 years managing and operating multiple units at a time. She worked as a third -party inspector for StenTech. She stated that she is very excited to be here. Readina Coalition Update: Mr. Sexton shared an update from the most recent Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support meeting. The Coalition had a good interview and are hopeful to hire the Public Safety Clinician soon. Staff met with the Clinical Director and Steps Coordinator at the Lowell House, which will be a 90 -day program for 13 to 17-year-olds at the former Daniels House. The organization Is collaborating with the North Shore Recovery High School. In Lynnfeld, there is a Mass Center for Adolescent Wellness opening up in April or May, which will be another mental health resource centered around teens. The program at Woburn District Court was temporarily shut down, as they were only running at 50% capacity, and is on hold right now. The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program at the Police Department is continuing and continues to conduct follow ups. The Coalition Outreach Coordinator met with the Health & Human Services Librarian for a future Mental Health First Aid Training for the Library. Mr. Sexton will ask if another Mental Health First Aid class will be offered for the public at the next Coalition meeting. Health Department Monthly Report: Mr. Solarin provided a general overview of Health Department activities In the month of February. The Department conducted six complaint investigations, one pre -operational inspection, one food plan review, one food establishment Inspection, three temporary food event reviews, one well construction review, one septic abandonment review, two body art reviews, two building demolition reviews, one occupancy inspection, one COVID-19 vaccination clinic, and ten homebound COVID-19 vaccine administrations. Annual permit renewals are 100% complete, thanks in large part to Public Services administrative staff Kim Saunders and Dawn Tocio, and online permitting software. The regional COVID-19 testing site is up and running. Residents can register on the Health Department website or on-site. The testing site is located at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington and is open six days a week from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday. All residents, schools, and businesses in the Town of Reading can utilize the testing site. The Finance Committee and Select Board provided funding for COVID test kits. There were 7,560 boxes (with two per box is a total 15,120 individual tests) delivered today. The initial plan was to hold a community distribution event. But with the decrease in infection rate, and the federal distribution, demand is low and the need for a community event has declined. Mr. Solarin is working with Town Manager Fidel Maltez and the Incident Command Team to figure out what to do with the kits. For now, the plan is to store them until the next surge expected in the fall. In the meantime, any resident who needs a test kit can contact the Health Department to pick one up. The test kits are good for six months, but the expiration date could possibly be extended. Page 1 2 _ Test kits have been provided to senior affordable housing properties in Massachusetts. Each property has been supplied with enough kits to provide three test kits for each housing unit including: Peter Sanborn Place, Cedar Glen, and the Reading Housing Authority. Vaccination efforts are ongoing, but due to low infection rates and low turnout at clinics, the department has elected to hold vaccination clinics Just once a month. The next one will be held on March 11th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Coolidge Middle School. If residents are seeking a vaccine before the next monthly interval, they, and any homebound residents, can contact the Health Department to schedule a vaccine. Public Health Nurse Kristine Harris provided the latest COVID data from February 24th through March 3' per MAVEN reporting: • Total COVID cases: 4,572 • Active cases: 21 • Deaths: 53 • Transferred cases: 16 • Recovered: 4,442 There are no other communicable diseases to report. Per Head School Nurse Mary Giuliana, there were four COVID cases reported over the school break. Masks are optional as of February 28th. A fair number of students are still wearing masks. Pool testing will continue for another two weeks, then they will consider whether to continue. Vaccinations for homebound residents continue and the department has a supply of Moderna vaccine that is good until May. Monthly vaccination clinics will continue In collaboration with the School Department. Ms. Harris is working with the Resource Coordinator at the Library to create health promotion and educational seminars to share with residents and Town employees. A new topic will be addressed each month. Mr. Solarin stated that the department is looking to bring back blood pressure clinics and other measures to promote wellness in the community. Public Health Nurse Shuang Shen shared additional department updates. The After -Action Report from the region 3B Emergency Coalition came on February gth. Two hundred participants completed the survey for Region 3B. There were challenges identified during the pandemic including: policymaking, vaccination, testing, and remote working. There were suggestions for strategies for communication and staff including: bilingual volunteers and interpreters for better communication for those with language barriers, and basic training provided for staff. The report can be a great resource for future emergency preparedness. Mr. Solarin stated that the department is conducting emergency preparedness inventory and is seeking grant money to replenish supplies. The previous Health Agent had requested an emergency preparedness trailer, and Mr. Solarin will be revisiting that to make sure everything is In place. Public Comment: Narcissa Lyons asked how often the team updates information regarding adverse reactions and which population is affected, and how that affects recommendations for vaccinations and boosters. Ms. Harris explained that they regularly review the Bayer and VAERS reports, and she attends regular meetings with the state. Ms. Dunnell explained that the state regularly updates status on recommendations, changes in intervals, and holds weekly meetings where Information is shared with the state lab. Dr. Lopez explained that the Board follows CDC guidelines, which the state takes into consideration along with the other reporting. Page 1 3 Next Meeting Agenda Items: Final Comments: • Dr. Lopez noted that at the next meeting, the Board will hear the final recommendations from MAPC. Mr. Solarin will have updates on swimming pool regulations. With the seasons changing, environmental health complaints are expected to increase, so focus will shift toward environmental health, while continuing to monitor COVID. Ms. Dunnell requested to keep the opportunity to discuss the kind of things to consider if there is another COVID surge, and what are the right factors in considering another mask mandate. Dr. Lopez agreed to continue that conversation In the next few meetings. Shuang Shen shared that today is her last day working for Reading. She stated that working in Reading was a pleasant experience and it was a pleasure to work with the Board. Board members and staff thanked Ms. Shen for all of her contributions and informed her that she will be greatly missed and wished her every success. On a motion by Dr. Lopez, and seconded by Ms. Dunnell, the Board of Health voted 3-0-0 to adjourn at 8:03 pm. Roll call vote: Paula Curren -Yes, Kerry Dunnell-Yes, Richard Lopez -Yes. P,,, 1 4